Productivity Commission ready to act over SPC

The Productivity Commission says it is prepared to look at what action can be taken to help protect SPC Ardmona.

The fruit processor made an application to the Federal Government a month ago for temporary tariff relief, to help it compete with cheaper imports.

The Productivity Commission has the power to investigate whether emergency safeguards are warranted, if the Government requests the work be done.

Commission chairman Peter Harris has told a Senate hearing, he has taken note of recent public comments and is ready to act if asked to.

"I'm quite sure at, what I might call a general working level, there have been exchanges between officers from the Productivity Commission and various parts of Government in preparation for a potential piece of work," he said.

Earlier this week, a delegation from the Goulburn Murray region held talks with senior Government and Opposition politicians over the tariff request and anti-dumping measures, to help SPC and fruitgrowers and associated industries badly affected by the cannery's cutbacks.